Are there Dinosaurs in the Bible?

From Gotquestions.org

The topic of dinosaurs in the Bible is part of a larger ongoing debate within the Christian community over the age of the earth, the proper interpretation of Genesis, and how to interpret the physical evidences we find all around us.

Those who believe in an older age for the earth tend to agree that the Bible does not mention dinosaurs, because, according to their paradigm, dinosaurs died out millions of years before the first man ever walked the earth.

The men who wrote the Bible could not have seen living dinosaurs.

Those who believe in a younger age for the earth tend to agree that the Bible does mention dinosaurs, though it never actually uses the word "dinosaur."

Instead, it uses the Hebrew word tanniyn, which is translated a few different ways in our English Bibles.

 

 Sometimes it's "sea monster," and sometimes it's "serpent."

 It is most commonly translated "dragon."

 The tanniyn appear to have been some sort of giant reptile.

These creatures are mentioned nearly thirty times in the Old Testament and were found both on land and in the water.

In addition to mentioning these giant reptiles, the Bible describes a couple of creatures in such a way that some scholars believe the writers may have been describing dinosaurs.

The behemoth is said to be the mightiest of all God's creatures, a giant whose tail is likened to a cedar tree (Job 40:15).

Some scholars have tried to identify the behemoth as either an elephant or a hippopotamus.

Others point out that elephants and hippopotamuses have very thin tails, nothing comparable to a cedar tree.

Dinosaurs like the brachiosaurus and the diplodocus, on the other hand, had huge tails which could easily be compared to a cedar tree.

Nearly every ancient civilization has some sort of art depicting giant reptilian creatures.

 Petroglyphs, artifacts, and even little clay figurines found in North America resemble modern depictions of dinosaurs.

Rock carvings in South America depict men riding diplodocus-like creatures and, amazingly, bear the familiar images of triceratops-like, pterodactyl-like, and tyrannosaurus rex-like creatures.

Roman mosaics, Mayan pottery, and Babylonian city walls all testify to man's trans-cultural, geographically unbounded fascination with these creatures.

Sober accounts like those of Marco Polo's Il Milione mingle with fantastic tales of treasure-hoarding beasts.

 In addition to the substantial amount of anthropic and historical evidences for the coexistence of dinosaurs and man, there are physical evidences, like the fossilized footprints of humans and dinosaurs found together at places in North America and West-Central Asia.

So, are there Dinosaurs in the Bible?

The matter is far from settled.

 It depends on how you interpret the available evidences and how you view the world around you.

If the Bible is interpreted literally, a young earth interpretation will result, and the idea that dinosaurs and man coexisted can be accepted.

If dinosaurs and human beings coexisted, what happened to the dinosaurs?

While the Bible does not discuss the issue, dinosaurs likely died out sometime after the flood due to a combination of dramatic environmental shifts and the fact that they were relentlessly hunted to extinction by man.

---

Testimonies From London Olympics - 2012

 

 

Olympic Archer: My Identity Is in Christ, Not Archery

 

Many successful Olympians translate their newfound fame into big endorsements and big cash.

 But one U.S. athlete says he wants to use his new platform to share the gospel with other Olympic athletes.

 

 

Jacob Wukie, part of the men's U.S. archery team that won a silver medal in London, made it clear that his identity was in Christ -- not archery.

 

"You just kind of meet some of the other medallists they have there at the time, and it's neat to meet people who are a little more well known,"

Wukie told Athletes in Action.

 

"But also I'm hoping to be able to have maybe more opportunities to kind of speak and share Christ with people."

 

 

"While for a long time archery has been a very big part of what I do, my identity is in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,"

 he said.

 

Wukie explained that is faith in God allows him look to the future with hope and confidence.

"Since I am confident that He is in control and has a plan for my life, I am able to give my best and let the rest lie in His hands," he said.

 

"He has given me the talents and abilities that I possess; He has taught me to love those around me and what it means to push hard.

 

 

Gold Medallist Houchin: Christ Comes First

 

 

Michael Phelps captured most of the Olympic headlines, but another U.S. swimmer, Charlie Houchin, earned a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

 

 

Houchin told Athletes in Action that it was his faith in Christ that made the victory sweet.

 

"Having faith in Christ helps you sort of stay in the moment, enjoy what's going on, not be anxious about what could or could not happen in the future,"

he explained.

 

  

 

"I would hope having an Olympic gold medal won't change my life,"

he continued.

 

"It might make it more exciting in the business world, or it might make it more exciting in terms of having cool stories to share."

"But hopefully it's just a vehicle for driving the things that I'm already passionate about, and clearly, my faith in Christ being the most important,"

he said.

 

 

---

Text from: http://heavenisforreal.net/

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of a four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who experienced heaven during emergency surgery. He talked about looking down to see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn’t know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

In heaven, Colton met his miscarried sister whom no one ever had told him about and his great-grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born. He shared impossible-to-know details about each. Colton went on to describe the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how “reaaally big” God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit “shoots down power” from heaven to help us.

Told by the Colton’s father often in Colton’s own words, the disarmingly simple message is that heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and to be ready … there is a coming last battle.

Olympian Jesse Williams: 'I Knew God Had a Plan'

 

 

High jumper Jesse Williams has  maintained his optimistic attitude, despite a foot injury that almost cost him a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

 

"When you're not able to mentally allow yourself to be physically 100 percent, then you're not going to jump anywhere close to your ability,"

he told The Oreganian.

 

 

 

"I probably was physically ready to actually put pressure on my foot,"

 Williams said.

 

"But mentally, I just wasn't allowing myself to do it."

 

The two-time Olympian has made no secret of his faith in God and how it has sustained him through triumphs and failures.

Williams talked more about his life and faith in a recent interview with Athletes In Action.

 

 

Athletes In Action:

What is the difference between you as two-time Olympian and the people who come for the first time?

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

Just the experience part. I have done one Olympics and I didn't do very well. And now I kind of realize the opportunity that I did miss. And this is being a second time. A lot of people train their entire life to make the Olympic trials, and then try to make the Olympics. And to do it twice is an unbelievable experience. And I know this is my opportunity to get things done. I may never have this opportunity again, so I gotta to make it count.

 

Athletes In Action:

Is there more pressure at the Olympic trials or here in the Olympics?

 

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

I would say there is more pressure in the Olympic trials for sure because just being here and experiencing everything that goes in the Olympics is an unbelievable thing. But if you don't have your ticket punched, then you don't get to do anything. More specifically the qualifying round is a bit of a pressure situation. But just being here, it tells itself  and it's just a great opportunity. Really, the Olympic trials is the hardest thing to get through, especially for a guy like me. I was in Eugene, I was the big favorite, and I'm here one of the favourites. But you can get lost in the mix. For me in Eugene, I had a lot of pressure I think just from the surrounding community. And here I just want to have fun and enjoy it.

 

Athletes In Action:

Talking about pressure, what do you do personally that helps you cope and deal with that pressure, there may be a couple of different things?

 

  

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

 

The way that I deal with pressure…a lot of times I read the Word.

It really helps me just know that there is more in this world than just competing and trying to achieve my personal goals.

 

It takes my mind off everything I have been going through, which is a good thing.

 

You need distractions that are a positive influence on my life, including reading the Word and digging in to God's Word. So that is the biggest thing for sure. I'm really, this time compared to the last time I'm trying to enjoy the whole experience. Just trying to have fun. The last time I put a little too much pressure on myself to have to do certain things and perform. And when it comes down to it I know that I'm ready, but I need to enjoy that time. This is maybe the last time I get to go to the Olympic Games, so I'll try to enjoy every opportunity.

 

 

Athletes In Action:

Do you have a favorite story from the Bible that inspires, motivates, and encourages you?

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

Let us see, it's really hard as an athlete not to go to like David and Goliath.

 

I mean the way the little guy comes out on top. He was so faithful to God and that's the reason he comes out on top and defeats the giant that no one can defeat. How can you not love this story? I think you can relate it to just about anything, even if you are the giant, there's always people trying to get you down, and you just have to keep your faith and stay strong.

 

 

 

Athletes In Action:

 You … you sprained your ankle the week before. What was going in your head during that time?

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

 Well, I just knew when I sprained my ankle before the trials it was in God's hands.

 

 I made a mistake personally, and I'm not going to make this mistake again here. It is hard to find basketball courts around here unfortunately. Maybe fortunately. But I just put it in God's hands. And I jumped to the best of my ability, and I was sitting in a place that was just shaking ground. There were a couple of jumpers that had a chance to knock me off the Olympic team. And (I) just put it in God's hands. I knew that He had a plan for me. It would be tough on me not to make the Olympic team, but here I'm in London now speaking about my goals and how I'm going to do. So, it was in His plan for me to be here. That's all you can really do.

 

 

Athletes In Action:

When you are out of the track… how is your faith in trusting God to get you here or potentially not?

How do you reconcile that when you were waiting and watching another guy jumping?

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

 

Really in life in general not only in competition, I mean things are going to be thrown at you that are not a part of what you think is suppose to be happening to you.

 

As far as an Olympic athlete, the Olympics come every four years, and there are people's dreams in that village right over there that are going to be crushed. And you cannot let it bring you down as a person.

 

Winning an Olympian gold medal, there is only one person in each event. In my event I may have 50 people. And that's everybody's ultimate goal. So when you look at it by the numbers, there are always a lot more people going to be upset than they are thrilled about how they competed. So it is really a hard thing to deal with. But that's the of nature of our sport. You have to find a happy median, especially with God.

 

You just have to let Him take control of whatever goes on.

 

It is hard to do because we spend so much time and so much work in to getting here and to achieving all of our goals. It is a human nature to be competitive and try to win. And when it is not going this way it is hard. But you have to find a way to deal with it with God. And I think if you don't have Him, it will be really hard for someone.

 

But He is on my side and I know that. So whatever happens I'm going to be happy because I know it is in His plan.

 

 

Athletes In Action:

So how do you demonstrate your faith when you are there competing?

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

When I'm out competing, the way I demonstrate my faith I guess is just to be a good looser and a good winner about everything.

 

There is a little bit of talking going on every once in a while not to get lost in that, (but) just worry about myself and just represent Him in all my actions, not doing anything out of the box. And afterwards just giving Him the glory to whatever the outcome is, it is important whether it's a good one or bad one. At the trials I was very fortunate and definitely I give all of the glory to God because it was in His plan.

 

 

 

JESSE WILLIAMS:

 I was very fortunate growing up in a Christian home.

 

My father was a pastor, and I grew up going to church. My mother read me Bible stories just about every night before I 'd go to bed, and we'd pray. And there was one day specifically when I was about 4 years old and I was asking my mom about heaven and hell.

 

You know I don't want to go to hell, and what I needed to do to go to heaven, and she explained it to me.

 Since then, I made the connection with God and asked Him to my heart and I have been follower ever since.

 

Obviously I have grown up a lot since then, recommitted my life a few different times. But just having Him in my life at that young age has just made me me.

 

 

CBN.Com

---

Mahatma Gandhi - Why I didn’t become a Follower of Christ?

 

 

If not Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Indian Independence struggle would have taken longer with more bloodshed, division and war.

 

 When senior leaders of the Hindu political groups urged Gandhi to respond 'violence with violence' and 'sword with sword', he opposed insisting and exhorting the path of non–violence and peace, which was Gandhi's biggest sword to combat the trained and fully equipped forces.

 

For sure this great man is one of the most respected leaders of modern history, for not only his life, but also his ideals and his message to the people.

 

 

Although Hindu, Gandhi had a very close connection with Christianity and admired Jesus very much, often quoting from his favourite 'Sermon on the Mount' chapter in Mathew 5–7.

 

When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him,

"Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?"

 

Gandhi replied,

"Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ."

 

 

"If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today," he added.

 

Gandhi's closeness with Christianity began when he was a young man practicing law in South Africa. Apart from being attached with the Christian faith, he intently studied the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, and was also seriously exploring becoming a Christian, which led him to his discovery of a small church gathering in his locality.

 

These strongly entrenched Biblical teachings have always acted a panacea to many of India's problems during its freedom struggle.

 

After deciding to attend the church service in South Africa, he came across a racial barrier, the church barred his way at the door.

"Where do you think you're going, kaffir?" an English man asked Gandhi in a belligerent tone.

 

Gandhi replied,

"I'd like to attend worship here."

 

The church elder snarled at him,

"There's no room for kaffirs in this church. Get out of here or I'll have my assistants throw you down the steps."

 

This infamous incident forced Gandhi to never again consider being a Christian, but rather adopt what he found in Christianity and its founder Jesus Christ.

 

 

In a speech to Women Missionaries in 28 July 1925, he said,

 

 "…although I am myself not a Christian, as an humble student of the Bible, who approaches it with faith and reverence, I wish respectfully to place before you the essence of the Sermon on the Mount...There are thousands of men and women today who, though they may not have heard about the Bible or Jesus have more faith and are more god fearing than Christians who know the Bible and who talk of its Ten Commandments..."

 

To a Christian missionary Gandhi once said,

 

 "To live the gospel is the most effective way most effective in the beginning, in the middle and in the end. …Not just preach but live the life according to the light.... If, therefore, you go on serving people and ask them also to serve, they would understand.

 

But you quote instead John 3:16 and ask them to believe it and that has no appeal to me, and I am sure people will not understand it...the Gospel will be more powerful when practiced and preached."

 

"A rose does not need to preach. It simply spreads its fragrance. The fragrance is its own sermon…the fragrance of religious and spiritual life is much finer and subtler than that of the rose."

 

 

In many ways Gandhi was right, the intense proselytization by Christian missionaries in India through force and allurement forced him to make many scathing statements against Christian missionaries, which several times inspired them to retrospect and change the way of approach in 'Evangelism'.

 

"If Jesus came to earth again. He would disown many things that are being done in the name of Christianity,"

Gandhi said during his meeting with an English missioner.

 

Here I am remembered of Sadhu Sundar Singh who is said to have done more to "indigenize" the churches of India than any figures in the twentieth century.

 

 

"You have offered us Christianity in a Western cup... Give it to us in an Eastern bowl and we will drink of it,"

is a famous statement by Singh, who converted from Sikh to Christianity after his personal experience with Jesus, who appeared in his room on one morning in the year 1905, when he was just fifteen years old.

 

 

Stanley Jones once asked Gandhi:

"How can we make Christianity naturalized in India, not a foreign thing, identified with a foreign government and a foreign people, but a part of the national life of India and contributing its power to India's uplift?"

 

Gandhi responded with great clarity,

 "First, I would suggest that all Christians, missionaries begin to live more like Jesus Christ.

 

Second, practice it without adulterating it or toning it down.

 

Third, emphasize love and make it your working force, for love is central in Christianity.

 

 Fourth, study the non - Christian religions more sympathetically to find the good that is within them, in order to have a more sympathetic approach to the people."

 

 

"Therefore it is very important for Christians to practise Christianity among the non-believers so that they can know the real love of lord jesus"

 

---